US hoping to boost India trade ties with Kerry visit

WASHINGTON -- The United States hopes to give a huge boost to its trade ties with India in an upcoming visit by Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. officials said Thursday.

“Our trade has already grown fivefold since the year 2000 to almost US$100 billion annually,” Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal told U.S. lawmakers.

“We can grow that fivefold again in the years to come. And we are committed to addressing the inevitable frictions over trade through dialogue and engagement.”

Kerry is to leave for India on July 31 to take part in the fifth annual U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, and he will be accompanied by Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, the State Department announced.

“This visit will mark the first U.S. cabinet-level visit to New Delhi since the new Indian government was elected and underscores the enormous strategic importance of the U.S.-India relationship and our hopes for the future of the relationship,” deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.